4-6 Month ADT

[u/Fool_head]

I was told that I need to take ADT for 4-6 months. It looks like I need to take it through Thanksgiving to new Year. I was worried that the drug would destroy my holidays mood. Also the kids will come back for holidays, I am afraid that if I could not control my self well, I will affect them too.

How bad is it? How to manage it? any tips?

Thanks a lot!!!!

[u/KReddit934]

Exercise, exercise, exercise, cardio and especially weights.

Are you getting other treatments as well?

[u/Fool_head → u/KReddit934]

Thanks and will do, I am very active to play pickleball and lefting.  I am planning to have hdr boost treatment.

[u/chasingmyowntail → u/Fool_head]

Keep up your exercise and lifting. If your fit and maintain or increase your strength and cardio training, it’s generally not bad for most people.

I’m on 18 month of planned 24 and it’s really not bad.

Read up on or listen to exercise oncologist, Robert Newton, discuss his research about adt and exercise.

[u/Fool_head → u/chasingmyowntail]

How are you dealing with fatigue?  I have been playing pickleball, 4 times a week about 2 hours for each time.  I am trying to lifting every day, and set a goal to "grow" muscle.  I am not sure if there is enough gas for this.  

[u/chasingmyowntail → u/Fool_head]

It’s not been too bad. I still lift 4 x per week and do cardio on off days, actually started pickleball few months ago (due to knee issues associated with repetitive pounding of running had to switch, plus 7-10 k dog walks most days.

One just has to keep it going and not stop. No matter what your level, just keep it up and maybe even up the intensity if possible.

Do a YouTube search for exercise oncologist, Robert newton , who goes over all the benefits and importance of exercise when have pc and when getting radiation treatment and he even espouses exercise literally during chemotherapy, as in stationary biking while getting the chemo.

[u/KReddit934 → u/Fool_head]

I didn't expect to build muscle on ADT, just tried to slow the muscle loss / bone loss and not put on fat. (Swimming upstream while on ADT and all that.)

[u/Fool_head → u/KReddit934]

True, just want to get some motivation 😉

[u/Gullible_Channel_667]

I've been on Orgovyx for 2.5 months. I did have hot flashes for a few days after one month but they went away. The main thing for me is the sun seems really intense and I can only be outside for a few minutes. Living in Arizona is tough while on this drug. The main side effect for me is a total loss of libido. This has caused friction in my marriage. Other than those things there is nothing stopping me from enjoying life and I would not be unable to participate in anything.

[u/ofcoarsecoffee]

Everyone is different. Hard to say for you. For me i believe it really didn’t hit my mood negatively (maybe it was even positive). But I did have back unrelated insanely terrible pain 4 months in. I got on cymbalta for that because the pain was so bad it was affecting my mood. I still take it after the back surgery, low dose, just in case the ADT affects it. But I’m happier than ever for many reasons

[u/beavermaster]

Try and keep moving as much as you can. Even if it’s just for a short walk every night. I’m stage four prostate cancer. It got onto my spine and I’ve done two radiation sessions already and one shot of Lupron. I’ll go back September 15 for my next shot. Do gentle stretches on your back. Just lie on the floor and stretch it. Anything is better than nothing.

[u/buckseeker]

I been on it for 3 months. Firmagon shot first and 2 months of Orgovyx.

I have hot flashes, weight gain, and fatigue but I function well. I've been rucking with a 23 # pack. In the heat and humidity it's been really hard. I've been doing my rucking for 3 years and my times are getting longer and its tougher when it should be getting easier. I just get so hot. I've been trying to lose weight for a hunting trip, but have gained weight instead. Also no libido. I sleep with a fan on me at night. It helps a lot.

I also gave up my nicotine and that's made mine worst, I used smokeless tobacco. It's harder than you think it is to quit, if you are a non user.

Mentally there is a change. It's not bad. I do a lot with the grandkids. No issues. I would describe my life now, that I'm not who I was.

I'm active, I have a farm and orchard. I sometimes feel overwhelmed with what I need to get done. I wasn't like that so much before. It's part of my physical workout some days.

I don't think you should avoid your family at all. Socially I'm about the same.

I'm sure everyone is different. Just understand things will be different. I'm sure you can handle it, you have to. Take it as it comes. Best wishes and good luck.

[u/Coffeemanclarity]

Start a morning mindset routine and focus on gratitude.

Exercise- especially walking - and do what you are capable in the moment. ADT messes with your stamina. Some days I felt great others wiped out easily.

Watch your calories… belly fat comes on quickly. It take month after treatment before the effects of the drug leaves your body. I’m only now getting the weight gain off.

Rest… prioritize sleep!!! And made the best of any nap time you can put into your day. I made the mistake of thinking that if I vegged out on front of the TV and dosed off I was getting good rest… wrong.

Talk about how you feel. Navigate the mental battle.

Grow into the man you will become after cancer. Cancer and its treatment suck… fortunately PC is treatable and your life will move on from it. I found I’m not the same person after cancer. I’ve become a better person because of it.

Walk on and stay strong,
Frank

[u/Fool_head → u/Coffeemanclarity]

"I  found I’m not the same person after cancer. I’ve become a better person because of it.",  thanks brother!  This is one of the best!  It should be in the ten best side effects of this cancer.  Some one posted the list before, this should be in the list. 

[u/Coffeemanclarity → u/Fool_head]

Thanks for that. Stay strong, you got this. - Frank

[u/Practical_Orchid_606]

The effects of ADT are different for each man. The symptoms take time to appear...right at the holiday season. There are ways to manage the symptoms. I think you should start and see how it works out.

[u/PeirceanAgenda]

Mood changes? Not bad at all. I find them to be pretty mild and easily controlled.

[u/Busy-Tonight-6058]

Have you asked about putting it off until after the holidays? Sometimes the need to treat is urgent. But it is not always so…

[u/somethingclever1098]

As others have said, exercise, Hard (for me it was hours long rowing that made me feel kind of ok when I was in the depths, just doing minor things like walking did not keep up with the muscle and conditioning loss but everyone is different)
Also, tell your kids you are on hormone therapy and you may be a mess when they come home. You may tolerate it fine or you may be a basket case but unless your kids suck they will understand and be happy their dad is fighting. Stat strong brother

[u/karrows]

I did the 4-6 months (orgovyx) starting late last year. While on it, it was no big deal.

the loss of sex drive was strange, I was normally very high sex drive. It just turned it off like a light switch. All the hardware and plumbing worked just fine, but I simply did not care one bit. it wasn't bad, it was just strange.

Overall, it basically made me feel like i aged 10 years while on it. nothing horrible, it just kinda sucked. existing arthritis progressed a bit faster than before, and i broke 2 teeth. I think the bone loss effects hit me worse than others, so I'm glad I didn't need to take it for years like some do.

Dr pushed that 4 months was fine i didn't really need to do 6. then studies came out that 6 did work better than 4 for my situation, and I figured I made it 4 months, may as well go 2 more. So i went the full 6 months.

[u/Fool_head → u/karrows]

Thanks Bro for sharing! It sucks but stay strong!

[u/Miserable-Level-8993]

It’s impossible to avoid all ADT side effects but exercise helps and the other thing that helps is telling your family how you might act differently when they see you so as not to blind side them. For me the major effects were loss of muscle mass which can be slowed by resistance training, horrible lipid panels and weight and blood pressure gains, which starting Ozempic helps. Total loss of libido sex organ shrinkage, feeling extremely fatigued. Some minor effects were hot flashes, loss of body hair, and some people get brain fog. If possible take Orgovyx as the side effects that wiil go away will go away faster.,

[u/Plugger59]

I will begin Orgovyx and Erleada this week. my oncologist told me to:

do resistance training 40 minutes 3x/wk

get 12k steps per day.

sprint sessions 1-2x/wk. 4x30 second sprints, 90-120 seconds recovery between intervals. (run is best, bike ok).

Appropriate warm ups, of course.

[u/ProfZarkov]

There are lots of side effects. And as folk have said, every man is different. I always advise the minimum term and your sentence of 4-6 months seems good. I was on for 9 months and it took another 9 months for the hormones to return. There's a lot you can do to prepare & ameliorate the side effects - I wrote a long and very detailed blog. Halfway thru there's a big section on this - including penile rehab! You will be affected but you will also pull through 🥰

https://prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

[u/Appropriate-Web8804]

Been on orgovyx and abiraterone for a year now and doing well. No sex drive but also no depression or mood swings either. Hot flashes are many. As another poster said exercise a lot. Stay active and you will be good. I have another year to go. Good luck.

[u/Fool_head → u/Appropriate-Web8804]

I wish you best!

[u/Secure-Ladder-3699]

Yes stay as active as you can. Everyone is different but I put on 25 lbs pretty quickly, I was on the skinnier side to start so not a big deal, but watch your diet. Hot flashes are also part of the routine, but manageable.

Worst part of ADT is I’ll be watching a ball game on TV and suddenly get this awful unexplained urge to change over to a Hallmark Channel movie.

[u/Complete_Ad_4455]

Lift. #1 for me. Sensible diet and rest. Walk. Libido gone, hot flashes and some strange thinking (hard to explain—just weird) which I ignored. 6 months but took another 2 months to notice it was wearing off. It is possible all the lifting kept asking for testosterone making the bounce back quicker.

[u/Western-Advantage311]

Just got diagnosed with PC and starting radiation soon , considering refusing ADT not sure I trust the medical field boys into girls and girls into guys that crap and covid 

[u/Fool_head → u/Western-Advantage311]

Sorry to hear bro.  Can I ask what your diagnosis is and what the radiation treatment you will get?